Gold Coast group raise more than $20,000 for Hay Runners

Rick and Lyndy Fankhauser along with Tracey McMurtrie and Greg Sklavos from the Gold Coast travelled to support the Hay Runners in Cunnamulla.

A GROUP of Gold Coasters were in tears watching the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners arrive in Cunnamulla yesterday after raising more than $20,000 and helping raise awareness of the battles of life on the land often not realised in the south east.

Rick and Lyndy Fankhauser along with Greg Sklavos and Tracey McMurtrie made the 10 hour trip to the south west on Monday, visiting the small towns along the way and getting to know locals.

Their fundraising efforts began in May when Greg saw a news story on the Hay Runners and told guests at his 60th birthday to provide them with donations in lieu of gifts.

Greg was incredibly moved by the convoy.

Together with Rick, the pair then organised raffle boards and dropped them off at local clubs and pubs, selling a square on the board or ‘bale of hay’ for $40.

Three months later they collected all of the boards and raised $20,419 for the cause.